Saratoga racing schedule in limbo

NYRA board discussion didn't address earlier start

An earlier start to Saratoga's historic thoroughbred racing meet was
discussed by the New York Racing Association board on Wednesday. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

An earlier start to Saratoga's historic thoroughbred racing meet was
discussed by the New York Racing Association board on Wednesday. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

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An earlier start to Saratoga's historic thoroughbred racing meet was
discussed by the New York Racing Association board on Wednesday. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

An earlier start to Saratoga's historic thoroughbred racing meet was
discussed by the New York Racing Association board on Wednesday. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Saratoga racing schedule in limbo

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ALBANY — The possibility of starting Saratoga's historic thoroughbred racing meet a week earlier was not on the agenda of the New York Racing Association board at their meeting Wednesday, despite an expectation that the topic would be broached.

The potential to change the Saratoga schedule, which was never on the board's written agenda, would stretch the season a week and add Mondays as a second dark day in addition to Tuesdays, keeping the meet at 40 days of racing. The state regulatory body tasked with approving NYRA's racing calendar is planning to meet this month, so it's likely a final decision on the Saratoga meet will be made in the coming weeks.

In advance of the meeting last week, board member Georgeanna "Georgie" Nugent said she was informed by a member of their executive committee that an earlier start would be discussed. Ultimately, though, no formal conversation about the topic was held during the private meeting on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with what happened.

In a statement following the meeting, NYRA spokesman Patrick McKenna stressed that the meeting didn't include a proposal about the Saratoga racing calendar for next year.

"We certainly appreciate the interest and passion that surrounds Saratoga and will formally release the 2019 race dates as soon as they are finalized," he said.

The earlier start has the support of Cindy Hollowood, general manager of the Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs. She said it was a "win-win" from a financial perspective for the race course and the community to trade six Mondays, traditionally the quietest day of the meet, for an additional weekend.

"The proposed calendar may be a good test to see if it would be better to move racing into July and close after Travers Sunday," Hollowood said.

If a change is made, she stressed the importance of consulting the city, noting the possibility of unforeseen municipal expenses.

"Having been in the community for nearly 40 years I have witnessed every extension of racing season," Hollowood said. "It takes years to educate the public about these extensions and I would encourage you to start early and get the message out."

John Hendrickson, a former NYRA board member and Saratoga Springs resident, warned that lengthening the meet permanently could dilute Saratoga's unique reputation in the racing world.

New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association President Joe Appelbaum, who serves on the NYRA board, said before the meeting that his organization supports any race meet schedule that is best for the industry.

He explained that any change should be judged primarily on its affect on wagering, as that's "what drives the whole business."

There is an expectation among supporters of a longer meet that it could have a positive effect on the number of horses in each race, which would increase the amount wagered. Hollowood said she heard complaints from guests about the small field sizes in the past.

Appelbaum acknowledged that any changes would have to factor in the unique nature of Saratoga's boutique meeting. "That's a big balancing act," he said.

If the Saratoga racing season was to start earlier it would mean the season at Belmont Park on Long Island would also end earlier. There is an expectation that the week at Saratoga would generate more gambling revenue than the lost Belmont week.

Hollwood added that the current schedule, which stretches to Labor Day, can create staffing difficulties for the course and and area businesses.

The most recent significant schedule tweak made by NYRA at the Saratoga Race Course was the introduction of "twilight racing," which pushed back races to later in the evening on select days. The change produced a loud negative reaction from the downtown business community, and the program was eventually dropped.